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Starving Artist? No Thanks, Use That Eye For Design In Business

The idea that the liberal arts have no application in the “real world” where deals are made and money changes hand is absolutely ludicrous. As if all the marketing in the world pre-2000 wasn’t enough to convince people, the internet has absolutely blown up how creativity and business interact. For you visual artists, the importance of graphic design today might be the most lucrative way to use that creativity, too.Tools Of The Trade An eye for design is a marketable talent, but you have to have marketable skills to go with it. Translating your creativity to something you can make money from nowadays usually means getting to grips with what businesses need from visual artists. Usually, that means using graphic design tools through In Design courses with Training Connection. It also means gaining the skills that a business owner or freelance designer needs, as well, such as setting up your portfolio and getting into the business of self-promotion. Any sense of hesitation in your work has to disappear. You need to sell yourself as best you can.

A Shared Language Is EssentialIt’s not over once you’ve sold the belief in your skills, either. Rather, getting clients is only the beginning of the journey. Being able to communicate with them is perhaps the most important skill you have to develop with them. Client demands can sometimes be nonsensical and sometimes frustrating, so developing a shared language with them is crucial. Ask them the right questions that help you really boil down what it is they’re looking for, such as the message, the audience they want to hit, or any design cues they can give you from other sources.

The Ever-Growing Toolkit If you want to make more money and expand the business even further, it’s worth taking a look into the ways that visual design is growing all throughout the world of business. For instance, pairing with a web designer, you could help businesses set up their online brand. Or you could get in the world of content creation, creating infographics alongside content marketers. Finding a niche can be a great way to carve yourself a corner in the market when graphic design alone isn’t providing enough to keep the business going.

Actually Making Money Demanding you be treated like a professional is crucial when it comes to actually making money from your talents. Many business owners, usually those of smaller outfits who haven’t had a lot of experience, don’t fully value graphic designers as businesses or professionals in their own right. Pricing your work yourself and setting your own standards for work is crucial. Never let someone tell you what your time and your efforts are worth and don’t believe in the myth of exposure. If you wanted exposure, you could just work on your portfolio in your spare time. Always get what you’re owed. Graphic designers, visual brand creators, multimedia content providers. They all have a lot of opportunities to make it out there if they can keep up with a competitive market. Treat yourself as a professional, work like a professional, communicate professional and, let’s not forget, get paid like a professional.